See All

Preferences

My Communities

My Discussions

My Email Digests

I had something happen the other day that made me think. I work at a mail order pharmacy and take medication orders, check shipments, answer coverage questions, that kind of thing. I speak to a wide variety of people and sometimes I'll throw my call talk time to the wind and just chat with a customer if they need somebody to talk to.

I spoke to a very nice old fellow, extremely intelligent, who is a diabetic and who needs to test his blood sugar several times a day and thus is very aware of what different kinds of food does to his blood sugar. I found it interesting that what he told me about food matched so closely to the way I think about it, and the experiences I've had.

For example, he said that the more lean protein he eats the better his sugar levels stay, as regards keeping them low and stable. He said that he could eat a couple hard boiled eggs for breakfast and actually have a tiny drop.

He said that as far as fruits went, grapes are the worst and bananas are pretty bad, and that you'd be better off drinking the wine than the grapes it was made with. They send his blood sugar sky high.

Very interestingly, he said that eating a Snickers bar spiked his blood sugar but less than if he ate a white potato.

He attributes better management of his disease to weight loss, and removing sources of starch from his diet such as white potatoes, pasta, bread, etc. He says that eating whole wheat helps a little, but not much.

I know everyone is different, but it was good to get input from a person who had to monitor his blood sugar levels and diet that closely.

Roh SW 220ish and fluffy CW 178.0 GW 140ish and buff

'Your focus determines your reality.' -QGJ

'Try not. Only do.' --Y

Thanks for your Reply!

8 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:Food for thought: an interesting conversationI had something happen the other day that made me think. I work at a mail order pharmacy and take medication orders, check shipments, answer coverage questions, that kind of thing. I speak to a wide variety of people and sometimes I'll throw my call talk time to the wind and just chat with a customer if they need somebody to talk to.

I spoke to a very nice old fellow, extremely intelligent, who is a diabetic and who needs to test his blood sugar several times a day and thus is very aware of what different kinds of food does to his blood sugar. I found it interesting that what he told me about food matched so closely to the way I think about it, and the experiences I've had.

For example, he said that the more lean protein he eats the better his sugar levels stay, as regards keeping them low and stable. He said that he could eat a couple hard boiled eggs for breakfast and actually have a tiny drop.

He said that as far as fruits went, grapes are the worst and bananas are pretty bad, and that you'd be better off drinking the wine than the grapes it was made with. They send his blood sugar sky high.

Very interestingly, he said that eating a Snickers bar spiked his blood sugar but less than if he ate a white potato.

He attributes better management of his disease to weight loss, and removing sources of starch from his diet such as white potatoes, pasta, bread, etc. He says that eating whole wheat helps a little, but not much.

I know everyone is different, but it was good to get input from a person who had to monitor his blood sugar levels and diet that closely.

Roh, do you ever blog back and forth with Brunosbud on the reg diet community? He's always talking about kcals and basic diabetic eating plans. I'm not sure of his conditions, but it seems that he's very well informed for a blogger. Sort of like your enlightening conversation with this elderly gentleman. That's nice of you btw. Older people sometimes don't feel useful and when you can get them to talk about something, to TEACH something, that gives them incentive to keep on keeping on. You know?Cudos to you.huggsk

Kim SW 243 CW 182.6 GW 135

If hunger is not the problem, then eating is not the solution.---author anonymous

What doesn't kill us makes us stronger---Friedrich Nietzche

Thanks for your Reply!

Report This| Share this:Food for thought: an interesting conversationRoh, do you ever blog back and forth with Brunosbud on the reg diet community? He's always talking about kcals and basic diabetic eating plans. I'm not sure of his conditions, but it seems that he's very well informed for a blogger. Sort of like your enlightening conversation with this elderly gentleman. That's nice of you btw. Older people sometimes don't feel useful and when you can get them to talk about something, to TEACH something, that gives them incentive to keep on keeping on. You know?Cudos to you.huggsk

Big THANK YOU for passing on your knowledge to that "customer". Even with the internet info. it is the human sharing that is lacking in our society. Learning from extended families and neighbors is a thing of the past.

Also, sharing about the different effects of food and blood sugar is very useful.

Big THANK YOU for passing on your knowledge to that "customer". Even with the internet info. it is the human sharing that is lacking in our society. Learning from extended families and neighbors is a thing of the past.

Also, sharing about the different effects of food and blood sugar is very useful.

Agreed about needing human connection. I didn't teach him a thing, he confirmed things I knew but he was speaking from experience, not theory. I feel honored when I can share stories and experiences with some of my members. Sometimes I learn a lot. Sometimes I just hear a good joke or anecdote. Sometimes I feel like I've helped someone. I always try to heep that human touch in my work, along with a lot of patients and understanding.

Roh SW 220ish and fluffy CW 178.0 GW 140ish and buff

'Your focus determines your reality.' -QGJ

'Try not. Only do.' --Y

Thanks for your Reply!

Report This| Share this:Food for thought: an interesting conversationAgreed about needing human connection. I didn't teach him a thing, he confirmed things I knew but he was speaking from experience, not theory. I feel honored when I can share stories and experiences with some of my members. Sometimes I learn a lot. Sometimes I just hear a good joke or anecdote. Sometimes I feel like I've helped someone. I always try to heep that human touch in my work, along with a lot of patients and understanding.

Roh, Since you deal with people who are getting meds., you are that "human" connection to help them deal with their medical needs. I try to remember to take the time to sincerely thank the customer rep who was kind and thorough. There have been a few times where these reps gave me food for thought that helped me consider new options.

Good work!

Barb

Thanks for your Reply!

Report This| Share this:Food for thought: an interesting conversationRoh, Since you deal with people who are getting meds., you are that "human" connection to help them deal with their medical needs. I try to remember to take the time to sincerely thank the customer rep who was kind and thorough. There have been a few times where these reps gave me food for thought that helped me consider new options.

I'm fortunate enough to work for a place that asks me to be really, really super polite to people no matter what. I consider that a good thing because it actually helps train me to be nicer in real life as well. People get a little irritated at me when I ask permission before I ask any questions, but to me it's just common courtesy and goes against treating people like sheep. I wish more people were respectful of others, and the way I see the elderly often treated, and young folks too, I realized a while back that I might be the only person some of these folks might talk to all week. Why not make it a positive experience? The same thing is true for all forms of business.

Roh SW 220ish and fluffy CW 178.0 GW 140ish and buff

'Your focus determines your reality.' -QGJ

'Try not. Only do.' --Y

Thanks for your Reply!

Report This| Share this:Food for thought: an interesting conversationI'm fortunate enough to work for a place that asks me to be really, really super polite to people no matter what. I consider that a good thing because it actually helps train me to be nicer in real life as well. People get a little irritated at me when I ask permission before I ask any questions, but to me it's just common courtesy and goes against treating people like sheep. I wish more people were respectful of others, and the way I see the elderly often treated, and young folks too, I realized a while back that I might be the only person some of these folks might talk to all week. Why not make it a positive experience? The same thing is true for all forms of business.

Thank you for sharing Roh! Information is good and I'll have to watch for how I feel when I eat potatoes, it's been so long though..It is good to know!

I know Customer Service is difficult, but it's calls that like, when you slow down and listen to a customer and enjoy the conversation I am very sure he enjoyed you taking the time for his part of the conversation too.

Hugs..lorrie

Lorrie SW 290 CW 268 GW 185~~ Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. The important thing is not to stop questioning. Albert Einstein ~~

I know Customer Service is difficult, but it's calls that like, when you slow down and listen to a customer and enjoy the conversation I am very sure he enjoyed you taking the time for his part of the conversation too.

Lorrie, Do you eat sweet potatoes? They seem to better for the sugar levels. I like the skins on both white and sweet potatoes.

For the white potatoes, you can lower the carb for making stuffed potato skins by scooping most of the "white" out and discarding.Nuke them first. Then season and sprinkle w/lower fat cheese, a bit of turkey or regular bacon bits, put in oven and top w/green onion. Low fat sour cream w/salsa.

For the white potatoes, you can lower the carb for making stuffed potato skins by scooping most of the "white" out and discarding.Nuke them first. Then season and sprinkle w/lower fat cheese, a bit of turkey or regular bacon bits, put in oven and top w/green onion. Low fat sour cream w/salsa.

Related Drug Reviews

Report Problems With Your Medications to the FDA

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

The opinions expressed in WebMD Communities are solely those of the User, who may or may not have medical or scientific training. These opinions do not represent the opinions of WebMD. Communities are not reviewed by a WebMD physician or any member of the WebMD editorial staff for accuracy, balance, objectivity, or any other reason except for compliance with our Terms and Conditions. Some of these opinions may contain information about treatments or uses of drug products that have not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. WebMD does not endorse any specific product, service or treatment.

Do not consider Communities as medical advice. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified healthcare provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your care plan or treatment. WebMD understands that reading individual, real-life experiences can be a helpful resource, but it is never a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a qualified health care provider. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or dial 911 immediately.